<p>I've taken the ACT 3 times. The first two times, I got the same score, but the third time I got a really good school. Some schools I am applying to use score choice, and some don't. Regardless, the common app asks how many times you've taken it. Does taking it three times adversely affect my admissions chances?</p>
<p>If you’re really a borderline applicant for these schools, yes, it does harm your chances. Otherwise, it won’t break any deal.</p>
<p>Have you taken the SAT?</p>
<p>You have the option to not self report your scores on the common app, just do that. It doesn’t matter how many times you took the test. Colleges aren’t gonna care if you took the test once or seven times. In fact most encourage you to take it 2 or 3 times. I know of a guy who took the SAT more than 20 times (no joke), and was accepted to Duke. Honestly, if you do well in everything colleges will overlook average/below average test scores.</p>
<p>@betweenthetrees - for some schools it actually does matter how many times you have taken a test. That is why those schools do not allow score choice. If a school does not allow score choice, you must report all scores. As far as taking a test three times, that is ok and will not seem excessive. I would definitely not take it again if you are applying to non-score choice schools.</p>
<p>“Colleges aren’t gonna care if you took the test once or seven times.”</p>
<p>Which colleges? Maybe those which doesn’t require SAT’s at all.</p>
<p>“In fact most encourage you to take it 2 or 3 times”</p>
<p>Proof, please.</p>
<p>“I know of a guy who took the SAT more than 20 times (no joke), and was accepted to Duke”</p>
<p>Faulty logic i.e. incomplete induction. Do you regard this statement as proof that retaking the SAT doesn’t affect chances? I don’t.</p>
<p>Three times should be OK if you improved significantly. More than three, not recommended under most circumstances.</p>
<p>Just don’t self-report it on the common app. It’s totally optional.</p>
<p>"How many times is too many for taking the SAT?</p>
<p>Dartmouth has no cap on how many times a student can take any standardized test. However, it is important to keep in mind that how many times you take an exam does reflect in part, your overall allocation of time. How much time are you spending studying for the SAT vs. engaging in academic or intellectual endeavors, or extracurriculars? I would advise for students to take standardized tests at a maximum of 3-4 times."</p>
<p>This is straight out of Dartmouth admissions. You’re going to be fine; don’t worry.</p>